Longtime Westminster Coach Scott Renninger Retires

Tuesday, June 3, 2014

NEW WILMINGTON, Pa. - Westminster College coach Scott "Scooter" Renninger has retired after 36 years serving as a coach, teacher, or an administrator at Westminster.

Renninger finished his 15th year as head coach of the men's tennis team and his ninth as head coach of the women's squad. He owned an 80-145 (.356) record as the men's coach and a 120-43 (.736) mark as the women's coach.

"The contributions made and the lives touched by Scott Renninger over the past 36 years here at Westminster are countless," Director of Athletics Jim Dafler said. "He leaves a legacy in athletics and physical education as an exceptional coach and teacher and also one as a mentor and an inspirational leader for every student he came in contact over the years. He will no doubt be missed and we wish him and his wife, Phyllis, all the best."

Renninger, the Presidents' Athletic Conference (PAC) Women's Tennis Coach of the Year for three straight years from 2006-08, led the Titan women to their first PAC Championship in school history in the 2012-13 season and their first trip to the NCAA Division III Tournament this past season after winning their second-straight PAC Championship. Over the past five years, the women have won 90% (82-9) of their overall matches and 93% (41-3) of their conference matches.

As the Titan men's coach, Renninger led the team to an improvement in wins in each of his first three seasons including the 2002 team that went 10-6, a win total that was duplicated by the 2004 team that went 10-9. Two of Renninger's men's teams (2004, 2006) placed second in the PAC.

Renninger has served on the Titan coaching staff since arriving in New Wilmington in 1978. He served as an assistant coach for the Titan football team from that time until 2004. In 1999, he served as interim co-head football coach. Renninger also served as head baseball coach for 21 seasons from 1979-99, compiling a career record of 253-284-3 (.471).

Renninger, who was also a professor of physical education at Westminster, has been granted faculty emeritus status.

Westminster Assistant Women's Basketball Coach Jayme Thiem has been named as the head coach of the Titan women's tennis team. An announcement will be forthcoming concerning the new head men's tennis coach.

About Westminster College...Founded in 1852 and related to the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), Westminster College ranks first in the nation as "Best College for Women in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math," according to Forbes.com. Westminster is a top-tier liberal arts college and a national leader in graduation rate performance, according to U.S. News Best Colleges guide. Westminster is also honored as one of "The Best 378 Colleges" by The Princeton Review, and is named to the President's Honor Roll for excellence in service learning.

Nearly 1,600 undergraduate and graduate students benefit from individualized attention from dedicated faculty while choosing from 41 majors and nearly 100 organizations on the New Wilmington, Pa., campus. Visit www.westminster.edu/advantage to view "Advantage: Westminster" A Strategic Plan 2010-2020.